Candidate Profile Dave Curtis
In the run up to the August primary, Patch has invited all local candidates to complete a Q&A to build a comprehensive voter’s guide that will assist people at the polls.
Dave Curtis has lived in Shelby Township for 16 years and is currently seeking the post of Shelby Township Trustee. He works for General Motors at the GM Tech Center in Warren and has been married to wife, Nancy, for 16 years. They have a daughter, Colleen. Curtis enjoys mountain miking and golf. "My family and friends are my life," he said.
1. What led you to try for the post of trustee initially?
The unprofessionalism of the current board led me to run again. I want Shelby to have a chance. The current board is not doing what is right for Shelby but what is right for them.
2. What do you plan to change if elected?
I will bring back the integrity and the professionalism that is missing. I want the tax payers to be a voice that is heard and listened to. They are currently neither.
3. If elected, what township issues would you like to focus on?
We must fix the current pension fiasco. This will be a major endeavor since the current board has done very little, if anything to fix this situation. They are all at odds with the fire and police. I have been endorsed by the police association and plan to make amends and work towards an agreement that is right for both Shelby, the police and fire.
Due to the layoffs from the current board our parks are suffering. The current parks and rec employees are doing a GREAT job but they need more help. I will try to get them the help they need so we can save the parks we have.
We cannot continue to subsidize the water rates for the businesses or residents. The current board has been subsidizing the current water rates to make sure they stay below 10%. The money has been coming out of the fund that is used to fix water mains and other water main situations. This is wrong and must stop before the fund is no more.
4. What personal and professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
- I am an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America.
- I have served my country in the Air Force from 1980 – 1983.
- I am the Financial Secretary for the Knight of Columbus council at St. Therese of Lisieux. I have held this prestigious position for 9 years.
5. Is there one person who has been the most influential in your life? Who?
My father, who served in the Air Force for 30 years, was and is my mentor for life. He proved to me that life is what you make it and that nothing is handed to you. You MUST work for what you want and you can do anything if you try hard enough. I learned that my father was diagnosed with Dyslexia while in college. He had figured out how to work with this affliction and deal with it all the way through high school and two years of college. Yet, he still persevered to become an officer in the United States Air Force and retire a colonel. Thanks Dad.
6. What are key ways you would have residents make a difference locally?
We need residents to take an active part in local government. We will need many volunteers on all commissions. An active constituency is the best that any elected official could ever ask for. I can assure that your voice will be heard in the new administration and YOU will make a difference.
7. What do you like most about the Shelby Township community? Do you have a favorite spot in Shelby?
I love the parks in Shelby. They are what brought me to Shelby along with the schools, police and fire. I love my neighborhood; we work together and would do just about anything for each other anytime anywhere.
My favorite spot is in Stony Creek Park on the mountain bike trails. There is a hill at the top of a major switchback where you can see forever. It is very pleasant and serene to be there.
edward miller
12:45 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
do you have a political party agenda/affliate?
edward miller
12:46 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Do you have a political agenda/affliate.
Jeffery Berz
1:34 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
I like that Dave wants the residents to be a part of the local government. As it is now the local government under R. Stathakos has done everything they can to subdue and keep the people quiet and in the dark
Matt Guarnieri
11:06 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Mr.Curtis got in my face and spit as he tried to limit my taxpayer right to free speech at a business meeting so I doubt he is for an open and honest forum unless it suits his personal agenda of higher taxes, higher pensions and higher spending. This man is a wolf trying top get into the hen house.
Matt Guarnieri
10:25 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Mr. Curtis, you slammed your body into mine and poked your finger into my chest while yelling obscenities, I didn't try to get you arrested, i was trying to get you to control yourself. If I had told the officer about the alcohol on your breath and wondered how someone could drive to and from a business meeting in your condition, that could have had you arrested. And really, Mr. Curtis, coming to a business meeting after drinking? Then running for office? Who does this and expects to do a good job for the people?
Matt Guarnieri
10:10 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Mr. Curtis, You are a liar, Mr. Huth would never say anything about warrant since that never happened and if you did consult Mr. Huth he would have told you to avoid me at all cost (unless he doesn't like you) because once on my radar I am a tenacious instigator with nothing to lose.
You Mr. Curtis are a hot head with a drinking problem, something we, the taxpayers do not need on the board. You slurred your words while spittle splattered three rows a seats back and you touched me in an angry fashion uninvited (accosting).
If you can't keep from drinking and losing your temper in the audience how do you expect to hold it together when I am sitting in front of the board with a "Curtis is a Drunk" sign facing you?
Here's your page:
http://www.facebook.com/AnyoneButCurtisForShelbyTownshipTrustee#
Enjoy and watch as the "likes" accumulate. Hope you learn to keep your cool or I might be in danger of physical harm...... lol.
leever
7:22 am on Monday, July 9, 2012
Matt Matt why don't you just say "NO" candidates are any good other than the current board. Wow you really dont get it. You really spend way to much time on here trying to spread your meaningless endorsements. Oh well some people just have WAY to much time on there hands and will never GET IT so sad
Matt Guarnieri
10:21 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
I support no one. The previous board which I include Lisa Manzella in, because of her voting, wanted 50 million in debt for taxpayers and Mrs. Manzella is less than ethical as shown on my web site. Bob Leman double his budget at a time when the population went up 30%, this is wasteful spending. Mr. Curtis has said (in writing) he supports the court house which will cost taxpayers 725,000.00 more per year than it will bring in from the general fund. Where do you think that money will come from.... layoff of police and fire men, cuts in library, parks and rec and senior programs or steep increases in out property taxes.
ALL I WANT ARE MY PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE TO NOT INCREASE AND MY SERVICES NOT TO BE CUT!!!
Is this really too much to ask for.... the people suing Shelby Township taxpayers and make no mistake, they are suing us do not have OUR best interest at heart but their own special interest in mind when running for office..... give me a better candidate and I will give you an endorsement, give me tax and spend Democrats running as Republicans and I will tell you what I think about them.
Bill Peters
12:25 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
All I took away from the televised interview was Shelby needs to add 10 more police heads, and Jeffery you did not answer anything.
Matt Guarnieri
10:24 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
10 officers at $90,000.00 plus a year and six figure lifetime pensions at age 43.... where do you think that money comes from..... OUR POCKETS!!
Jeffery Berz
11:08 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
PS- Matt,
I thought you'd be now of a FRUIT LOOP or CUCKOO PUFF'S kind of guy.
Matt Guarnieri
1:07 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
OK, I will repeat myself as requested: (for Phil... he's new)
1. The current board has not raised taxes or borrowed (through bonds or other means) against our township without a vote of the people. (love this)
2. The current board used outside experts to assist in streamlining departments (love this).
3. The current board has committed to whittling away at the public employee pension plan currently in place. (It's ridiculous to be able to retire in your 40's and get paid for the rest of your life at taxpayers expense.). The current pension payouts are costing over 1 million a year in taxpayer dollars. 1 million and expected to triple in 10 years... How on earth can homeowners be expected to pay more for retired employees than for working employees? This has to be changed. Most of the candidates mention putting more dollars from the general fund into the pension plan to balance this, the current board wants to cut the benefit to some degree (i love this).... Money from the general fund means less parks and rec, less library, less senior activities... less of what I pay taxes for. I don't pay taxes so retirees can live better than their working counterparts.. this is what 401k's are for…………..
Matt Guarnieri
1:08 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
…………4. The current board has stood up to what turned out to be an unscrupulous towing contractor. All they did was open RFP to others and Noel Nightingale stood up and yelled “recall”. Who does this? ….. Obviously I know now, unethical towing contractors. I FOIA-ed the towing bills, I read all the reports before coming to my conclusions, in fact, I think the current board is way to kind to the Nightingale’s, I would have had them all thrown in jail. The current board mentions they “hope” the Nightingale’s will learn and improve, I see none of this “improvement” in attitude yet.
5. I have a huge friend and family base, 11 people have recently moved into and live in Shelby Township. When I compare my tax rate with amenities offered, they all say, “I’m looking for a house in Shelby Twp.” Why? Because of the current board’s actions in helping keep taxes low while offering great amenities. My arguments of how the board looks to outside expert advice, vows to not borrow money, keep roads up, how they deal with unscrupulous contractors has convinced people to move into Shelby Twp. And help me rid the unethical force amongst this board. …….
Matt Guarnieri
1:09 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
……. 6. When people see the facts that the only people against the board are the terminated employees, the pension receiver’s, the towing contractor and friends, the ex-engineering firm and friends (all people who would raise taxes for personal gain), they are shocked, not one person with no connection to the Shelby Township government is complaining… The complainers all have lost or have something to gain by complaining……
Why do I do what I do…. I have something to gain by keeping taxes lower. With the taxes lowered and the services offered I can finally be proud enough of where I live and convince others to live here too. Finally, and I have lived here since 1996,,, it took 12 years of gritting my teeth and waiting for a respectable board to get elected and I hate to see that change.
Matt Guarnieri
4:38 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I'm asking: Dispute the facts I type or give some of your own..... all I see are people attacking me and avoiding the points I bring up. This just proves I'm in the right and you have no real basis for your opinions except you don't like my opinion and want me to shut up
I inform and you just attack.
Matt Guarnieri
4:51 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
That's an obvious lie from Mr. Berz, since you respond so quickly, I must be on your mind alot. You're the known as the stalkr here.....
Thomas Delise
8:09 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I hear that if you have season tickets to the Red Wings the majority of the board is willing to swing your way.Of coarse, depending on where the seats are located.
Matt Guarnieri
9:08 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Where? Who? What person or company has recieved special consideration for season tickets? Please show me so I can confirm this information. More baseless blather from a lost soul who refuses further education.
Jeffery Berz
11:36 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Now Matt’s attacking a man who works for the United States Post Office. This makes me wonder about how you feel about your country. Tom and I love our country!
Why do you need to investigate who has Wings tickets? Was that question directed towards you or did you just decide to horn in like usual?
Jeffery Berz
11:39 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
The reason I like to comment on you is that you’re just a funny guy. Nobody takes you serious anyway. Just don’t let it make you mad. It’s not good for your blood pressure and tooth grinding. BAM!!!!!!!
John Lang
8:25 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Funny how? How is he funny? You mean the way he talks? What is so funny about him? He's here to amuse you?
Bill Peters
10:11 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Bullies always get personal-Blah Blah Blah-Can any of you give some facts on what any of the bully clan will do for the township or have done for the people of Shelby Township? All I hear is integrity and honesty. I do see any of that from these posts or any of the candidate’s web sites. Integrity and honesty is great but that alone does not do anything for me as a tax payer. So I guess the current board will be the best of the worst choice
Matt Guarnieri
10:29 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Just want to say, I kind of like John Holeton, he appears to be a researcher, seems to care about blight in Shelby Twp. and I believe we would not raise taxes on homeowners...... So there is someone I don't dislike.... not endorsing anyone though. I just can't find a agenda on him accept the desire to help.
Jeffery Berz
10:16 am on Friday, July 13, 2012
John Lang,
Thanks for making me stop and think about what I said. I was getting way off course in an effort to defend some of my friends.
No Matt is not actually funny. The fact that he always answers other peoples comments with his version of how he feels about Lisa Manzella, Bob Leman and the Nightingale family is rather redundant. It’s sad that Matt can come up with dirt about everyone he opposes although he will tell you he doesn’t know any of them personally. I’m proud to say that I know Bob and Jean Leman, John and Marsha Nightingale, Nick and Nicole Nightingale, Lisa and Joe Manzella, Richard Batchelder, Clarence Cook, Gary Kopp, Dave Curtis, Brent Freeman and many more. Knowing someone personally is really the best way to see what kind of person they are. Anyone can shine their shoes and make their hair look pretty for the camera but who a person is around friends, family, co-workers and others is a pretty good way to gauge who that person really is.
Matt truly enjoys tearing people and their reputations apart based on what “he believes” or what “he thinks”. I’ve been guilty of this too so I’m not saying I’m a better person. I just stopped the other day and looked at the big picture here and realized how ridiculous I was for turning this forum into a personal volley of words with someone who is only trying to get people to be upset over his words.
Take some time and get to know a person before you discount them because of “I think".